Whether a fiction writer, journalist, or social media creator, we all have moments of wondering what to write next. When I was much younger, I would say that I didn’t believe in Writer’s Block. I used to think that because I had so many stories in my head, I’d never be “stuck”, since I’d always have something to write. What I’ve learned over the years is that I can always find a creative channel, whether a short story, novel, newsletter or something else, sometimes I get stuck in my Work-In-Progress.
At the moment, I am trying to reach a point with my gothic novel where I am ready to query. Once upon a time, I thought it was done. Then I got some feedback and now have ways to improve the story. Yet I frequently find myself not dealing with these suggestions. Part of this delay is that I want the time to deep dive into them. I need to remind myself of something else I’ve learned — That’s not going to happen. I’ve had to write in the spaces between tasks. Before and after work. Before and after making dinner. While at a child’s activity. I need to take the moments where I get them.
What are the other reasons I’m procrastinating? It’s not that I don’t love this story. I do. Very much. I want these characters to stretch and reach as far as they can. Maybe it’s my subconscious, afraid that I’ll mess up the story. Maybe it’s not subconscious at all, instead a niggling feeling at the back of my mind.
So, writer’s block. Here we are. It can even happen when you’re editing. I’ve thought about the different methods for how to get past writer’s block. There’s no one right way. I think there are different paths for different situations. I believe there’s always something you can do, though.
I read a novel recently where the main character was a writer and had a deadline approaching and hadn’t written anything for a novel that needed to be completed soon. She was given the deadline MONTHS prior. I know that as part of the novel’s plot; the writer uses the love interest as inspiration/energy for her novel and can suddenly write again. I found it frustrating because I thought of so many activities that she could have done to get her writing juices flowing. Even if she was writing sub-par chapters, she could have been creating something and edited it later.
I’m not talking about busy-ness either. Family and a day job take up A LOT of time. Plus, you need to take time for yourselves, going out, exercising, whatever self-care you need. Life can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. None of that is conducive to writing your novel or crafting a short story.
Should I talk about breaking writer’s block techniques?
What I’ve Been Reading:
The Wolf and The Woodsman, by Ava Reid
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl, Volume 3, by Miyuki Tonogaya
What I’ve Been Watching:
From Me To You, on Netflix
Dr. Who on Prime
Dr. Who (recent series) on Disney+
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Thunderbolts
What I’ve Been Listening To:
Papercuts, Instrumental, by Linkin Park
Alligator Bites Never Heal, by Doechii
Learn about the land on which we reside:
Well said Loni. Love your drive and your push to get your stories out!!
Yah, next installment share your tips for breaking the block :)
Sometimes writing about how to break it, helps break it ;)